Month: January 2016

In the late 80’s and early 90’s it was Wheel of Fortune.  In the 00’s it was Jeopardy!  Now it is The Family Feud.  Prime time game shows helped our family wind down after some long work days.  The other day we looked at each other with the same thing in mind when, across the bottom of the tv screen scrolled this message,  “Auditions for The Family Feud are coming to Phoenix!”

How could we not?  It took a couple of days to see if our three very busy but fun-loving kids were available.  We also had to be sure the audition would take place while our daughter was still home over winter break.  The kids gave us the thumbs up.  Emails were traded with a mystery Feud employee.  We got the invite and the audition was scheduled.

Since we had a couple of weeks to wait for the scheduled audition I had time to take stock of just how significant game shows have been in my life.

• I reflected on the time I once thought about the possibility of becoming a tv weatherman and game show host.
• I reflected on how, during summer breaks, I would come home after morning swim practice and watch my favorite game shows.  (The lone  exception- 1973- when I sat fascinated as U.S. Senator Sam Ervin and the Senate Select Committee held hearings on the Watergate break-in.  At the time I didn’t understand the questions much less the answers, but I was pretty sure what was happening was important.)

  

• I reflected on my favorite 70’s game shows:  1- Hollywood Squares with Peter Marshall.  Paul Lynde was the center square and other regulars included Charley Weaver (a character played by Cliff Arquette- the grandfather of the Arquette kids, Rosanna, Patricia, and David), Wally Cox (the voice of Underdog), and the hilarious Rose Marie. (Among her other credits, I knew her as one of Rob Petrie’s writing partners on The Dick Van Dyke Show.)  2-The Newlywed Game with host Bob Eubanks.  Hard to share just how ridiculous those newlyweds looked.3- Let’s Make a Deal with host Monty Hall.  No one framed a curtain, door, or box better than Carol Merrill.  Jay (Stewart) was impressive both as Hall’s side-kick and as the wielder of the trays.

Finally, audition day was here.  It was a blast!   Over 700 families in the Phoenix area tried out.  You may know one or two.  The story is, if we make the cut, we will receive the coveted postcard in about three weeks.  I think we are in.  I will report in a future post whether or not our dedicated U.S. mail carrier misplaced our mail.

 

The sun set gracefully on 2015.   How will life be different when the sun rises on 2016?  Here are a few lessons I hope I have (finally) learned.

1. Write stuff down.    How do you keep track of stuff?  Calendars, agendas, phones, post-it-notes, and scraps from a recycle bin all seemed like nice ways to keep track of the day’s plans.   I have never really kept any kind of organizer.  “Let me check my calendar” really meant “I’m trying to remember why that date sounds familiar.”  I’ve already picked up a calendar to keep track of my stuff.  First entry: “Jan. 1- 9:00 AM- post your New Year’s blog.”  I am already behind, but at least there isn’t a scheduling conflict.

2.  Man, what blessings have been bestowed on me.   There was a whole lot of closure this past year.  The Trojan Soccer Silver Anniversary celebration, boarding up Room 209 after 30 years of doing business, and the retirement party were events in 2015 that gave me plenty to think about. Summer was the perfect time for reflecting on tons of quality moments.  In my new calendar: “Jan. 4- 6:00AM- back to work.”  Yes, I find my myself  in a school community to which I have become quite attached.  In 2016 I will give thanks everyday for what is and what is to be.

3. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea, but how would I have known if I hadn’t taken the risk?  I haven’t always made the best decisions.  The particulars don’t need to be discussed.  (Did I really need that BMW?)  Fortunately, after most poor choices I kept my eyes open, my head up, and found doors opened I hadn’t seen before.  I have learned to better weigh the marginal benefits and costs. In my 2016 Calendar there is a page on the right for notes. Note to self: “This week I will greet opportunity with unbound courage.”   Feeling more together already.

4. The grass may not be greener, but it sure is a cool place to have a picnic!  Retiring wasn’t all that, but I’ve enjoyed some of the benefits.  Its unlikely I would have traveled to Europe or criss-crossed America.  Working at GLAAZ would never have happened.  I am too spirited to retire.  Second note to self: “Appreciate the opportunity to both nurture old friendships and to grow new relationships.”  I wonder why I didn’t write this stuff down before?

5. There is no time like the present, and the present is now!  2015 brought new challenges.  Parents continue to age and sadly, aunts and uncles, friends and students passed from this life much too young.  I must embrace the people who have a positive impact on my life.  I will remain a dreamer and do all I can to capture that dream.   I will work to be the best husband, father, brother, teacher, and friend that I can be.  I will do it now!

2016, here I am!   I look forward to your challenges.  No appointment necessary.